ERASMUS +

Student composer, Kieran Lynch

As part of the EU’s Erasmus scheme, there are opportunities for
music students to spend a term studying at one of the College’s
partner conservatoires across Europe and beyond. This can be a
valuable, life-changing experience not only in academic and
vocational terms but also socially and culturally.

Student composer Kieran Lynch spent the first term of his final
undergraduate year at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

“I wanted to spend some time abroad to find
new sources of inspiration – new experiences and landscapes tend to
be a very good creative trigger for me. Being in a completely
unfamiliar environment, meeting new people and facing new
challenges also helped build my confidence and prepare me for life
after College. It was one of the best things I have ever done. I
met lots of interesting people, learned new skills, and leaned a
lot about myself.”

The Erasmus + Framework

The College participates actively in the Erasmus + framework for
student and staff mobility, with partnerships with over 30 European
institutions. The College believes this is an exceptional
opportunity for students to develop their musical and personal
skills in a new environment, allowing for focused periods of study
with particular principal study teachers, and enabling students to
incorporate new styles and approaches into their learning. It is
possible for students to undertake an exchange of at least 3 months
as part of their BMus (in Year 3 or 4) or MMus course (in Year 2),
receiving full academic credit for the experience.

Despite uncertainty generated by Brexit, the College remains
committed to staying part of the student and staff exchange
mechanism. To support this aim, the College is a member of the
Association of European Conservatoires, whose website contains
useful information about the Erasmus scheme: https://www.aec-music.eu/services/students/faqs/erasmus

In order to go on an Erasmus exchange, College students need to
make an application in the year before they want to go (application
completed by 1st March). The application process
includes submission of video recordings and an application form to
the potential host institution, with which the College should
already have a partnership (you can apply to up to 3 places), and
it is up to that institution to decide it if it is able to offer
the student a place for the following academic year.

All students applying for the exchange experience must be
recommended by their Head of Department, principal study teacher
and Course Leader. Level of achievement and engagement with the
course will be taken into account as part of the selection process.
Detailed information about Erasmus can be found on the College’s
VLE, after registration.

The College has also recently joined the European Opera Academy,
which offers a network of vocal/operatic opportunities for focused
projects and period of study. These can also be supported by
Erasmus student mobility grants. More information on the
opportunities available in this network can be found here: http://www.europeanopera.academy/

The list of partner institutions is updated on a regular basis.
Our current partners, for 18/19, are:

Country

City

Institution

Norway

Oslo

Norwegian Academy of Music

Bergen

Grieg Academy

Finland

Helsinki

Sibelius Academy / University of the Arts

Denmark

Copenhagen

Royal Danish Academy of Music

Estonia

Tallinn

Estonian Academy of Music

Lithuania

Vilnius

Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre

Latvia

Riga

Latvian Academy of Music

Poland

Lodz

University of Music

Krakow

Music Academy

Czech Republic

Brno

Janacek Academy of Music and Theatre

Hungary

Budapest

Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music

Netherlands

Utrecht

Music Department, University of the Arts

Amsterdam

Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Maastricht

Conservatorium Maastricht

Belgium

Brussels

Royal Flemish Conservatory

Antwerp

Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp

Germany

Leipzig

Hochschule fur Musik und Theater “Mendelssohn-Bartholdy”

Trossingen

Hochschule fur Musik

Karlsruhe

Hochschule fur Musik

Hannover

Hochschule fur Musik und Theater

Weimar

Hochschule fur Musik

Switzerland

Zurich

Hochschule fur Musik

Bern

Hochschule fur Musik

Geneva

Conservatoire de Geneve

Portugal

Porto

Escola Superior de Musica e das Artes Spectaculares

Spain

Madrid

Real Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Madrid

Barcelona

Escola Superior de Musica de Catalunya

Barcelona

Conservatori del Liceu

Gran Canaria / Tenerife

Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Canarias

Italy

Turin

Conservatorio “G Verdi”

Verona

Conservatorio di Verona

Florence

Conservatorio di Musica “Luigi Cherubini”

Austria

Graz

University of Music and Performing Arts Graz

Vienna

University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Information for Incoming Erasmus Students

Please note that, at present, incoming
applications can only be submitted by Music students at partner
institutions, not from any other discipline.

The College welcomes applications from music students of partner
conservatoires to undertake a period of study with us (mostly one
term, although occasionally a complete year can be agreed).

Applications are made through the EASY Application Service. We will
only accept applications from students who have been nominated by
their home institution. The application deadline is March 15 of the
academic year before you wish to study at the College. Places are
granted through competitive recorded auditions, and you are
required to include the following materials with your online
application:

Video recording of 10-15 minutes of music/composition portfolio
containing 3 contrasting works (the portfolio should include scores
and recordings)

The College will endeavour to send you a response to your
application by the middle of May. We make decisions based on our
capacity to offer you a quality experience. Please note that we do
not accept exchange applications on to the MA in Advanced Opera
Performance (except through the European Opera Academy network),
any PG Conducting pathway or the MA in Arts Management.

The main element of your exchange is your principal study, and
this will form the core part of your studies. However, depending on
your specialism, you will be able to get involved in chamber music,
larger ensemble work, career development seminars, academic
modules, performance opportunities, etc. We work carefully with
each incoming student to ensure that study and assessment needs are
met. Please note that each ECTS is worth 2 UK Credits.

Course outlines to help you complete your proposed Learning
Agreement are available on the following course pages;